Commercial Trucking Insurance Requirements

FMCSA minimum liability limits

These are federal floors for interstate for-hire carriers, set by what you haul and the weight rating (GVWR) of your vehicles. Many brokers and shippers require more.

Minimum public liability by operation

General freight: $750,000; 10,001 lbs and up
General freight, small vehicles only: $300,000; Every vehicle under 10,001 lbs
Oil, hazardous waste and most hazmat: $1,000,000; 10,001 lbs and up
Bulk hazmat, certain explosives, poison gas, radioactive: $5,000,000; Any size, depending on the material
Passengers, 15 or fewer for pay: $1,500,000; Vans and small buses
Passengers, 16 or more: $5,000,000; Buses

Household goods movers also need cargo coverage of $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence, filed on a BMC-34.

How proof of insurance gets filed

BMC-91 or BMC-91X: your insurer files it with FMCSA once you have a USDOT and MC number. It must be on file within 90 days of your authority application. 49 CFR 387.301
MCS-90: the endorsement on your policy that guarantees the federal minimum to the public.
Brokers: instead of liability insurance, broker authority needs a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund, filed as a BMC-84 or BMC-85.

Coverage brokers and shippers ask for

Federal rules set only the liability floor. Before tendering loads, most brokers ask for a certificate showing more:

Auto liability: many brokers want $1,000,000, above the $750,000 minimum.
Motor truck cargo: pays for the freight you haul; $100,000 is a common requirement.
Physical damage: covers your own truck and trailer. Lenders require it on financed equipment.
General liability: claims that don’t involve driving, such as at a dock.
Trailer interchange: needed when you pull trailers you don’t own.
Non-trucking liability: for owner-operators leased onto a carrier, when driving off dispatch.

What drives the price

New authorities pay the most in their first years. Insurers price your driving record and years of CDL experience, what you haul, how far and where you run, where the truck is garaged, and the value of your equipment. A clean motor vehicle record for every driver is the cheapest thing you can bring to the quote.

Get quotes from agents who write new-venture trucking before you apply for authority, so coverage can be filed as soon as your MC number is assigned.

Trucking insurance FAQ

How much insurance do I need for my MC authority?

At least $750,000 in public liability for general freight hauled in vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more. Oil and most hazmat need $1 million, and certain bulk hazmat needs $5 million. A fleet made up only of vehicles under 10,001 pounds needs $300,000.

Is cargo insurance required?

Federally, only for household goods movers: $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence. Most brokers and shippers still require cargo coverage before they tender a load.

Do I need insurance before I apply for authority?

No. You can apply first, but your authority stays inactive until your insurer files proof of coverage. It must be on file within 90 days of your application.

Who files the BMC-91X?

Your insurance company. Give your agent your USDOT and MC numbers once FMCSA assigns them, and the insurer files the BMC-91X with FMCSA electronically.

What is an MCS-90?

An endorsement on your liability policy that guarantees the public is paid up to the federal minimum, even when the policy itself wouldn’t cover a claim. Insurers attach it to for-hire trucking policies.

Does Evergreen Comply sell insurance?

No. We file your USDOT number, MC authority, BOC-3 and UCR, and we follow up with your agent until the BMC-91X is on file. Your insurance comes from a licensed agent.

Primary sources

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes federal requirements and is not insurance or legal advice. Evergreen Comply does not sell insurance. Talk to a licensed agent about the coverage your operation needs.